Wisconsin state and federal officials recently have voiced support for the Ho-Chunk Nation’s proposed casino in Beloit. The Bad River and St. Croix Chippewa bands first submitted a casino plan in the 1990s, but since it did not move forward the Ho-Chunk proposal took precedence.
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin stated, “There is strong community support for this project and I have been a longtime supporter because it would provide a much needed boost to the local economy. I have requested that the Bureau of Indian Affairs give this project timely consideration and I continue to support seeing it move forward.” U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan also has stated his support of the project.
State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck stated, “The city, county and Ho-Chunk have worked together in good faith on a strong application for the proposed casino.” State Rep. Mark Spreitzer stated, “As an elected official, I represent the interests of the Beloit community which is in favor of this project. I hope the Ho-Chunk have their request approved by the federal government and by Governor Walker when this issue reaches the state level.”
The project includes a hotel and conference center, and is expected to bring 2,000 jobs to the area. State Senator Janis Ringhand said, “I support the casino because of the jobs it will create. Beloit and the Ho-Chunk Nation have developed a great relationship after working on this project for a number of years. I hope the federal government approves the project so it can move forward.”
State Senator Steve Nass, noting he’s concerned about expanded casino gambling in Wisconsin, added, “There is still a lengthy process ahead and a significant amount of information to be considered before reaching a final position on this potential project.”
The Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs must approve the tribe’s application for the off-site casino so the land can be placed in federal trust. Ho-Chunk representatives and local leaders recently met with BIA officers to discuss the status of the application. Department of Interior Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason has told tribes and Congress that off-reservation acquisitions will receive additional scrutiny, and that the Trump administration is considering a new rule to make land-trust procedures more rigorous. The Beloit site is more than 170 miles from Ho-Chunk headquarters in Black River Falls, and the tribe also maintains a governmental office 49 miles away in Madison.
The BIA’s last official action regarding the Beloit casino occurred in January 2013 when it issued a scoping report on the environmental impact statement. Beyond that, no timetable has been set for the approval of the Ho-Chunk’s application. The BIA will issue a notice of availability in the federal register, followed by a public hearing on the project in Beloit.
The final step will be approval by Governor Scott Walker. He rejected the Menominee Tribe’s application for an off-reservation casino in Kenosha, and has not expressed an opinion on the Ho-Chunk proposal.
Ho-Chunk officials have said they believe the project will move forward since a 1990s compact allows the tribe to open one additional Class III gaming facility. Instead of paying property taxes, since the casino will be on tribal land, the Ho-Chunk agreed to pay 2 percent of net win proceeds to the city, with 30 percent of that allocated to Rock County to be used for infrastructure projects in the area, officials said.
